Definition
A pre-alert is the package of documents an overseas agent or origin office sends ahead of a shipment's arrival. It typically includes the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and arrival details so the destination team can prepare customs filings and delivery.
Why it matters
The pre-alert is the trigger for most back-office work on an import job. Everything downstream (ISF, lot creation, arrival planning) depends on the data inside it being read and entered correctly and on time.
How TIO handles it
TIO reads the pre-alert on arrival, binds it to the right job, and extracts the fields your team would otherwise re-type into the TMS.
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